What is the main theme of the story?

The main theme of the story is the power of optimism and hope in the face of adversity. Pollyanna's father teaches her to find happiness in every situation, and she applies this lesson to her life in a way that inspires those around her.

Who is the main character of the story?

The main character of the story is Pollyanna, a young girl who is taught by her father to find happiness in every situation.

What is the setting of the story?

The story takes place in a small town in the United States in the late 19th or early 20th century.

What is the significance of Pollyanna's father?

Pollyanna's father is a significant character in the story because he teaches her the importance of optimism and hope. He is a positive influence in her life and helps her to develop the skills she needs to navigate difficult situations.

What is the role of Miss Polly Harrington in the story?

Miss Polly Harrington is Pollyanna's wealthy aunt who is strict and not exactly pleasant. She is a foil to Pollyanna's optimism and kindness, and their relationship is an important part of the story.

What is the significance of the title 'Pollyanna'?

The title 'Pollyanna' refers to the main character's name, but it also reflects her optimistic and cheerful personality. The title is a nod to the idea that happiness is a choice, and that we all have the power to choose how we react to difficult situations.

Is the story suitable for children?

Yes, the story is suitable for children. It is a heartwarming and inspiring tale that promotes positive values and themes.

What is the author's writing style like?

The author's writing style is engaging and easy to follow. They use descriptive language to bring the characters and setting to life, and the story is full of well-developed characters and plot twists.

What do you like most about this story?

I love how the author weaves together a cast of characters that are both relatable and memorable. What I appreciate most about this story is how it shows that happiness is a choice, and that we all have the power to choose how we react to difficult situations.

Pollyanna: A Timeless Tale of Joy and Resilience

Pollyanna: A Timeless Tale of Optimism and Joy

I'm a huge fan of Eleanor Porter's Pollyanna series, and I'm excited to share my thoughts on this delightful novella. If you're looking for a book that will leave you feeling uplifted and inspired, look no further than Pollyanna.

The story follows the life of Pollyanna, a young girl who was taught by her father to find happiness in every situation. She moves in with her wealthy aunt, Miss Polly Harrington, who is strict and not exactly pleasant. But Pollyanna's optimism and kindness soon win over her aunt and the rest of the household.

I love how the author weaves together a cast of characters that are both relatable and memorable. From Pollyanna's friend Nancy, the kind and gentle maid who becomes a mother figure to her, to John Pendleton, the mysterious and gloomy man who lives in the big house alone, each character adds depth and complexity to the story.

One of the things that struck me most about Pollyanna is her ability to find good in bad situations. Her father taught her a game where she has to find a reason to be happy in everything, even when things seem bleak. It's a skill that serves her well, and one that I think we could all learn from.

The book is easy to read, and despite its deceptively light tone, it's a treasure trove of wisdom and common sense. I've read a lot of books that claim to be 'Chicken Soup for the Soul,' but Pollyanna is the real deal.

I've been reading the Pollyanna series for a while now, and I'm loving the continuation of the story. The second book picks up right where the first left off, with Pollyanna heading to Boston on a mission to help Ruth Carney, a 33-year-old woman who's been living in her own little world since her husband passed away and her nephew Jamie was taken by his uncle 8 years ago.

Pollyanna's adaptation to city life is a wild ride, and she's not without her adventures. One day, she gets lost and meets a street vendor named Jerry who helps her find her way. After that, she's not allowed to wander too far from home, so she starts spending her days in the nearby park, where she meets new friends, including a boy named Jamie who's in a wheelchair (coincidence or what?). This kid's got spunk, and his disability doesn't hold him back one bit.

The story spans a significant period of time, and Pollyanna's growing up - she's now 20 and sometimes struggles to find joy in her own game. But the characters are all in for a wild ride, and I'm eager to see if Pollyanna can keep her spark alive.

I know this book is recommended for 5th-graders, but trust me, adults will love it too. We all need to find reasons to be happy every day, and Pollyanna's got that in spades!

Format and Page Count

This hardcover edition features Pollyanna, the cheerful protagonist, on the cover:

The back cover has a brief summary:

The iconic red spine is a dead giveaway for this series:

The pages are pristine white, with a comfortable font size:

The book has a total of 528 pages.

Publisher

Exmo

You can buy the book on the official EXMO website, or at other bookstores and marketplaces.

Publication Year

2023

Series

Reading by School Curriculum

Plot and My Impressions

I picked up this edition because it includes two novellas: 'Heidi' and 'Heidi Grows Up'. I read 'Heidi' three years ago on a friend's recommendation, and we all loved it. I recently re-read it with great pleasure, and 'Heidi Grows Up' was a new experience for me. I'll go through it all in order below.

So, 'Heidi' is a story about a lively and spontaneous girl who has a unique ability to find the bright side in every situation. Unfortunately, she needs this skill from a young age, given her tough circumstances. After her father's death, Heidi's aunt, Miss Polly Harrington, agrees to take her in. She's a wealthy woman who owns an old mansion, and is described by her maid, Nancy, as:

"Miss Polly is strict; not exactly pleasant, and a bit nervous to boot. You know how she jumps and frowns if a door suddenly slams shut or a knife falls off the table? And she frowns even when everything is going smoothly."

Pollyanna, who grew up in poverty (but in love!), and Miss Polly Harrington, who was used to living alone, had a hard time finding common ground, especially since her aunt decided not to bother too much with it, and decided to settle the girl as far away from herself as possible on the cramped and empty attic, not finding any other place in the big and lavishly decorated house.

However, Pollyanna found a friend in her peer, the kind and gentle maid Nancy, who was forced to take a job in the Harrington household to support her family after her father's death. Nancy had made a promise to protect Pollyanna and support her in everything, knowing her character.

Pollyanna struck me from the very first minute of our acquaintance with her ability to find good in bad, and absolutely in any situation, find something positive. What's remarkable is that this is not a characteristic of her personality, but a game that her father taught her to play:

“The game is to find a reason to be happy in everything. Even where there seems to be none at all.”

As for secondary characters, I want to mention John Pendleton, the mysterious and gloomy man who lives in the big house alone (not counting his faithful dog, who once saved his life), and never talks to anyone. But will this stop Pollyanna from getting to know him? Also she befriends Jimmy Bean, a 10-year-old orphan, whom she couldn't pass by once, and thereby changed his fate, just like she changed the lives of John Pendleton and countless others with her game and compassion.

The book is easy to read, and despite its deceptively light tone, it's a treasure trove of wisdom and common sense. There's a series of books called Chicken Soup for the Soul, but after reading one of them, I came to the conclusion that it's more like Salt on a Wound. But Pollyanna is the real Chicken Soup for the Soul!

I'm loving the continuation of the Pollyanna series, and I'm excited to dive back into the world of this optimistic and charming young girl. The story picks up right where the first book left off, with Pollyanna heading to Boston on a mission to help Ruth Carney, a 33-year-old woman who's been living in her own little world since her husband passed away and her nephew Jamie was taken by his uncle 8 years ago.

Favourite Quotes

“When you're looking for something to be happy about, you somehow forget about everything else.”

“Almost every sunny day, Pollyanna would ask permission to ‘take a run-around’ and, having gotten it, she’d head out on a journey through the city streets. And it just so happened that during these walks, she’d constantly run into The Man. I mean, that’s how she referred to him in her head, with a capital M, setting him apart from all the other men.”

“As far as I know from my patients, she has an extraordinary ability and desire to find the positive side of just about everything - in what’s been, what is, and what might happen. Her speeches, which might seem strange or amusing to some, always seem to repeat the idea of simply being happy with everything. I reckon that’s what makes Pollyanna’s magic happen. I’d love to be able to prescribe her attitude to my patients, just like I would a medicine or a pill. But on the other hand, if there were more girls like her in the world, we’d probably have to find new ways to make a living, because doctors and nurses would be out of a job!”